News
FCCPC Warns Fuel Marketers Over Alleged Price Exploitation Amid Falling Crude Oil Prices
By Rukevwe Odeh
The Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (FCCPC) has issued a warning to petroleum refiners, depot operators, marketers, and fuel station owners, stating that they could face sanctions if found guilty of exploiting consumers in Nigeria’s downstream oil sector.
The commission said it is currently monitoring the market and reviewing pricing trends, noting that recent reductions in petrol prices have not reflected the significant drop in global crude oil prices. It observed that while fuel prices increased quickly when crude oil prices rose, the same level of responsiveness has not been seen as prices decline.
FCCPC Executive Vice Chairman, Tunji Bello, explained that although the agency does not set petrol prices due to market deregulation, it is empowered under the Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act to ensure fair competition and protect consumers from unfair business practices.
According to him, competitive markets should allow both price increases and reductions to be fairly reflected. He expressed concern that consumers are not benefiting enough from the recent fall in global oil prices.
He further noted that international crude prices have eased following improvements in global geopolitical tensions, yet petrol prices in Nigeria remain relatively high. While marketers increased pump prices during periods of global instability, current reductions have been only minimal despite improved market conditions.
The FCCPC also acknowledged that fuel pricing is influenced by several factors, including exchange rates, refining costs, logistics, transportation, and financing. However, it maintained that these factors should not prevent consumers from benefiting when global crude prices fall significantly.
The commission warned that it will not hesitate to take enforcement action against any operator found engaging in price manipulation, anti-competitive behaviour, or consumer exploitation. It also encouraged the public to report suspicious pricing practices through its official complaint channels.
Meanwhile, industry stakeholders argue that domestic fuel pricing is shaped by more than just crude oil movements, pointing to structural and operational costs within the sector.
By Rukevwe Odeh
The cost of cooking gas has started to decline in several parts of Nigeria following an improvement in the supply of Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) and lower depot prices.
Market checks indicate that the reduction is being recorded in major cities after weeks of elevated prices driven by supply constraints.
In Lagos, Ibadan and Abeokuta, LPG currently sells for between ₦1,100 and ₦1,350 per kilogramme. Consumers in Benin City, Port Harcourt and Warri are paying between ₦1,150 and ₦1,400 per kilogramme.
In the South-East, residents of Onitsha and Enugu purchase cooking gas at prices ranging from ₦1,200 to ₦1,450 per kilogramme, while the product is sold for ₦1,250 to ₦1,500 per kilogramme in Abuja.
At the prevailing rates, refilling a 5kg cylinder now costs between ₦5,500 and ₦8,250, while a 6kg cylinder attracts between ₦6,600 and ₦9,900. A standard 12.5kg cylinder costs between ₦13,750 and ₦20,625, depending on location and retailer.
President of the Nigerian Association of Liquefied Petroleum Gas Marketers, Edu Inyang, said prices remain relatively higher across northern Nigeria due to transportation and logistics expenses.
According to him, consumers in Kano and Kaduna pay between ₦1,300 and ₦1,550 per kilogramme, while prices in Maiduguri and parts of the North-East range from ₦1,350 to ₦1,650 per kilogramme, making the region the most expensive for LPG.
He noted that the national average price currently falls between ₦1,100 and ₦1,650 per kilogramme, although some retailers continue to charge above this range because of distribution and operational costs.
Inyang attributed the recent price drop to improved availability of locally produced and imported LPG, reduced depot prices, stronger competition among marketers and the end of panic buying that previously affected the market.
He added that despite improved supply, transportation costs, distance from depots and retailers’ pricing strategies continue to influence the final amount consumers pay in different parts of the country.
By Divine Perezide
Delta State Governor, Rt. Hon. Sheriff Oborevwori, has announced the approval of a 13th-month salary bonus for civil servants in the state, describing the initiative as part of his administration’s commitment to improving workers’ welfare and rewarding their dedication to public service.
The Governor made the announcement on Tuesday night during the Dinner and Award Night organised in Asaba as part of activities marking the 2026 Public Service Week Celebration.
The declaration was greeted with loud applause and jubilation from civil servants and guests at the event, as the Governor disclosed that all eligible workers in the Delta State Civil Service would benefit from the special salary bonus.
Governor Oborevwori stated that the approval would make his administration the first in the history of Delta State to implement and pay a 13th-month salary bonus to the state workforce.
This was shared in a viral facebook post by Hon. Chief Favour O. Izoukumor Political Vanguard.
The governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to prioritising the welfare, motivation and productivity of civil servants, noting that a motivated workforce remains essential to effective governance and sustainable development.
The announcement has been widely welcomed by workers, who described the development as a significant boost to staff morale and a demonstration of the government’s recognition of the invaluable contributions of public servants to the growth and development of Delta State.
Watch the video: https://m.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=pfbid0SZLaZ2tqSNy2KWoPa8mZ1ye7wepRNJG9jLUjx6CQWQwX3fii7tvjy67FXgUmsFTcl&id=100066680253512&mibextid=ZbWKw
The 13th-month salary bonus is expected to provide additional financial relief to workers, particularly amid prevailing economic challenges facing many households across the country.
By Rukevwe Odeh
The Federal Government has instructed petroleum marketers to reduce the pump price of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS), following the recent drop in international crude oil prices.
Speaking at the 2026 General Counsel and Legal Advisers Forum of the Nigerian Midstream and Downstream Petroleum Regulatory Authority (NMDPRA), the Minister of State for Petroleum Resources (Oil), Senator Heineken Lokpobiri, said Nigerians should benefit from the lower global oil prices through reduced fuel costs.
Lokpobiri also directed the NMDPRA to closely monitor the downstream sector to ensure marketers do not exploit consumers through excessive pricing or fuel quantity manipulation. He stressed that customers deserve to receive the exact volume of fuel they pay for, despite the deregulated nature of the petroleum market.
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